The St. John’s IceCaps came into Sunday’s game against the Syracuse Crunch searching for a bounce back performance, following a loss in their previous encounter.
Head coach, Sylvain Lefebvre opted for rookie net minder Zach Fucale between the pipes, after Eddie Pasquale took the loss on Saturday night. Fucale, who’s biggest problem thus far has been his consistency, was looking to give the IceCaps the spark they desperately needed.
St. John’s got just the start they were looking for. Just 1:23 into the game, IceCaps leading scorer Charles Hudon opened the scoring for the visitors. From there, it went downhill. The Crunch would end up heading into the intermission with a 2-1 lead, thanks to goals from Yanni Gourde and Jeff Tambellini.
Unfortunately for the IceCaps, the worst was yet to come. In the second period the Crunch exploded for four goals. Gourde, and Tanner Richard had a goal each, and want-away forward Jonathan Drouin scored twice.
There was, however, one bright spot for the IceCaps in the period. Charles Hudon picked up his second of the game on the power play. The Crunch led 6-2 after 40 minutes.
Pasquale lead the team onto the ice to start the third, as Fucale’s night had come to an early end. The goaltending switch had little impact on the game. Pasquale stopped all four shots he faced, and his counterpart, Kristers Gudlevskis, stopped any chance of an IceCaps comeback.
The IceCaps continue their road trip, with two games against the Rochester Americans this week, before heading to Toronto, for a two games against the Marlies.
Goaltenders:
St. John’s – Zachary Fucale 18/24 (L) Eddie Pasquale 4/4
Syracuse – Kristers Gudlevskis 22/24 (W)
Three stars:
1. Yanni Gourde
2. Tanner Richard
3. Jonathan Drouin
